Zach LaVine misses All-Star starting spot, but finishes 3rd in player vote

Zach LaVine won’t be a 2021 All-Star starter, but fans who want him to win his first career cap should be feeling pretty good about his chances of netting a reserve spot after the voting results were released on Thursday night. .

LaVine was fourth among Eastern Conference guards in the overall weighted vote, including fourth in fan rank (which represents 50% of the final tally), fifth in media rankings (25%) and tied for third rank of players (25%). with James Harden.

Coaches will now select seven reservists from each conference, to be announced on February 23.

With career high scores of 28.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season on flashy shots 52% from the field, 43.7 from 3 points and 84.7 from the line of free throws, LaVine is making his best case to earn a place in the game. He enjoyed an abundance of mentions throughout the first part of the season. “Let’s get it right this year with Zach LaVine as AllStar!” Dwyane Wade tweeted Jan 28.

“I think for basketball players that means more than anything. I think that’s what takes you the longest,” LaVine said in a recent episode of NBC Sports Chicago’s Bulls Talk podcast to gain recognition for his. peers. “Especially if you’re snubbed or don’t have some of those individual accolades and your peers come over and say, ‘Hey look, you’re still that guy’ or ‘I see you on that level.’ You know that means a lot because it’s the company you’re playing with and they keep you at a higher level. “

One would think that third place in the players’ vote will be a point of pride then.

But he will rely on a selection of coaches to bring him to the finish line. Whether a career first place is in the cards or not, you can bet LaVine isn’t slowing down.

“Everyone, when you put in work you want recognition. And I think before you understand that has to come from victory,” LaVine said on the podcast, echoing a sentiment he shared. for years. “Do I think less of myself if I’m not voted All-Star? No. Every time I step on the pitch I think I’m the best player on the pitch, it’s just me.

“But over the past two years, I don’t think there are 12 better players in the conference than me. And I’m trying to let my game do the talking.”

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